The Denver Post reported on Thursday that the Rockies are seriously looking into signing free agent slugger Lance Berkman, a player that was not given an extension by the Yankees. Berkman played in New York for half of the 2010 season.

The Post reports that no signing is guaranteed, but that Berkman is “strongly considering” signing with the Rockies. Berkman has also received interest from the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Athletics. The contract is reported to be a one-year deal.

ESPN’s Buster Olney said via Twitter that the Athletics appear very enthusiastic about targeting Berkman as well.

Berkman told the Post that Colorado is a place that “I would definitely have interest in.” Berkman batted .248 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 122 games with the Astros and the Yankees.

One of A’s general manager Billy Beane‘s priorities this offseason is to find a reliable hitter who can help the club score more runs for its talented pitching staff. So, on Tuesday, they are planning to meet with 34-year-old free agent Lance Berkman. The switch-hitter batted .248 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs this past season between the Astros and Yankees. In late October the Yankees declined to exercise the $15 million contract option for Berkman, who received a $2 million buyout.

The A’s finished 81-81 in 2010. They stayed in the AL West chase until late in the season, losing out to the eventual AL champion Rangers.

The New York Yankees will not pick up the 2011 options on big name free-agent signees Lance Berkman and Kerry Wood, the Newark Star Ledger reports. The Yankees will also not pick up the option on Nick Johnson, who was added before the start of the 2010 season. Berkman’s contract included a $15 million team option or a $2 million buyout for 2011, but when he was traded to New York it was changed to a mutual option.

Berkman played in 37 games for the Yankees after the trade was finalized, only hitting .255.

Wood’s 2011 deal was worth $11 million with no buyout required. During the season, Wood had been a target of the Red Sox at the trade deadline, but the Yankees made a more aggressive salary bid for the right-hander, which led him to New York. Wood ended up being a key member of the Yankees bullpen, forging a 0.69 ERA in 26 appearances. Given the Sox’ interest in him during the regular season, if he is open to a middle relief role next year and becomes available on a short-term deal (one or possibly two years), it would seem a decent possibility that the Red Sox would be interested in him.

Johnson had a $5.25 million mutual option for 2011, but the Yankees chose a $250,000 buyout after the first baseman missed nearly the entire season after having wrist surgery. The $5.25 million would have been slightly less than what Johnson made this season.

According to MLB.com, the Yankees officially finalized their deal with first baseman Lance Berkman Saturday afternoon. In exchange for the services of the five-time All-Star, the Astros receive minor league pitcher Mark Melancon, infielder Jimmy Paredes and cash. The deal was in place as of Friday, but it had to wait until Saturday because of Berkman’s 10- and 5- rights as a longtime veteran of the Astros. The new Yankee DH is batting .245 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI.

The Yankees added a bat Friday in Astros slugger Lance Berkman. Joel Sherman of the New York Post initially had the story that the the Yankees are closing in on a deal, saying a trade was ”on [the] verge of completion.” Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News later added that a deal was “imminent.”

Buster Olney of ESPN reports the Yankees will not give up significant prospects in the deal.

Berkman is hitting just .245 with 13 homers and 49 RBI but has a .372 on-base percentage. He has insisted that any team that trades for him not pick up his 2011 option.

According to a tweet from Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Astros infielder Lance Berkman “could be in play for Yankees under right circumstances.” Rosenthal notes that Berkman is “tight” with pitcher Andy Pettitte and would likely waive his no-trade clause to go to New York. Berkman, who had knee surgery in spring training, is having his worst season in the majors, hitting .245.